Fourth of July fireworks location continues to be topic of discussion

by Angie Asam-Staff Writer

The City of Onaway and the Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce continue to debate about the location of the Fourth of July fireworks for 2014.

A letter to the editor that appeared in the Onaway Outlook several weeks ago, written by city commissioner Bernie Schmeltzer, spurred the debate. The letter stated that unless certain board members resigned from the chamber board the fireworks location would have to be moved.

However, that has turned out not to be true. City manager Joe Hefele talked to the Horrocks family that owns the 300-acre field off M-211 that has been the launching site of the fireworks for many years.

“The owner of the property has no problem as long as the city is the one pulling the permit, insuring the show, etc,” said Hefele.

Hefele went on to say, “Since then Jim Gibson has spoke to the fire crew. The city has been insuring the show for many years. He told them that the chamber has also been insuring the show. I have called their insurance representative and he told me point blank ‘no’ they haven’t been insuring the show,” he said.

The city has always filed the permit and took out an insurance policy on the fireworks from the time they arrived in the city until they were all shot off that kept the chamber and Horrocks family protected if something were to go wrong with the show.

“The fire crew does a great job, I know that, they always have. The chamber’s role in this has always been as a fundraiser. I struggle to see why we are messing with this when it is not broken. Why should we move to a site one-third of the size?” said Hefele.

Members of the fire crew, who volunteer their time to shoot of the fireworks, were in the audience and asked the city and chamber to iron out the issue and let them know where they needed to be to shoot of the fireworks and they would be there, as long as it was safe.

City commissioner Jessie Horrocks asked the members of the chamber who were in the audience what they paid for insurance on the show if they had been insuring it. chamber members could not answer that question as they said their insurance is blanket coverage that includes all their activities.

Jim Gibson, chamber treasurer, told the commission that their questions regarding insurance would be answered at the chamber meeting that is being held Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall.

As the discussion continued it got more and more confusing and ultimately mayor Gary Wregglesworth used his gavel to bring the meeting back to order before the city moved on with the rest of its business.

The city and the chamber will continue to try to work out the issue and ensure a safe fireworks show this summer. The fire crew has no involvement in the issue except for they will volunteer their time to shoot of the fireworks safely once a location is decided on.

After believing they couldn’t hold the fireworks show at the Horrocks family field anymore the chamber has been looking at alternate locations, including Higgins Farm on M-33.

The fireworks show has always been a joint venture between the chamber and city. The chamber raises money through various events to help purchase fireworks and the city takes care of the permit, insurance and actual purchase of the fireworks.

IN OTHER CITY COMMISSION NEWS:

• The city approved the 2014-15 Onaway Area Fire Department budget. The city’s contribution is about $1,200 less than 2013-14.

• Carol Taylor will be allowed to purchase a parcel from the city that presently includes 3785 South Third street. The house will be burned down and removed in the late winter/early spring, and the lot will be cleared up before Taylor can take ownership for $25. The parcel became property of the city through a tax foreclosure and has cost the city no money. The sale will put the property back on the tax roll. Taylor plans to build a home there.